The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-13

THE friends of the Hon. Rufus Magee will be
pleased to read the following letter from the
Minister of Foreign Affairs to the minister of
Sweden and Norway at Washington. 1t is an
unusual but gratifying and complete answer to
the outrageous scandals that have been circu-
lated about Mr.. Magee:
:.srocKHo1M, Nov. ,, 1887"
"My Dear Mr. Reuterskiold:
My attention has been drawn to an article
holm, which has been published in the New
York paper, the World for October 16. This
article. which have no hesitation Ia describing
as piece of mendicious fscurrility, contains a
most violent aspersion upon the character OF the
representative of the United States at this
capital. and feel bound in justice to Mr.. Magee
with whom have entertained, for the past
two years, pleasant oficiakand social relations,
to raise my voice against the anonymous calum-
MES of which he has been the subject.
THE essential part of the charge against Mr..
Magee is that his conduct here has not been in
harmony with the dignity attached to his posi-
ton. 1t is asserted that he acted in ridiculous
and unbecoming way on the occasion of his
presentation to the King; that he shows
tricity in his dress; that his residence is far
away from the residence quarter of the city.
and that Swedish society have stopped their
social intercourse with him. If these state
ments were not put in malicious form as to
seriously inj ure Mr.. Magee If left uncontradlct-
ed, l should think them too ridiculous to de-
serve any answer, even notice. They are all
gees official reception at the court took place In
exactly the same way that of any other di-
plomate of his rank. and his social position is
and always has been excellent. Indeed his
modest and unassuming bearing has won him
the good opinion of Stockholm society, and L
doubt whether any American has enjoyed a
better position than he.
'Of Mr.. Magees private establishment have
personal knowledge, but know that his
residence is located in one of the most fashion
able parts of the town, and L am credibly in
formed that he entertans in the best style and
liberal scale. In the society of Stockholm
he is frequent and welcome guest
''Of the charge that Mr.. Magee does not pay
his bills, / would say that tradespeople
apt to complain to the Foreign Office with or with
out reason, if any bills of theirs left unpaid
by foreign daplomates, but no such complaint has
been brought forward here against Mr.. Magee,
even limited at in connection with his name.
The other charges, that of his taking commits
sions, etc, so absurd that they are laughed
to scorn by every one acquainted with Mr.. Ma
gee.
''The whole thing seems to have been started
on the strength of statements from two men,
one of whom is a dismissed servant. and the
other is not unknown to the Stockholm police.
At this place, the attack has produced nothing
but indignation against its authors, but it may
be different in other places whore Mr. Magee is
less well known, and therefore think it right
that you should hand copy of this letter to Mr..
Bayard. authorizing him to make use of it as he
may deem fit.
Il seize this opportunity to assure you my
dear Mr. Reuterskiold. of my high consideration.
'EHRENSvARD."